Happy Continuation Day!

Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh turns 95 years old today! He lives peacefully at his root monastery where he was ordained a monk as a teenager. He uses the phrase “continuation day” instead of “birthday” for a very special reason: He want us all to realize that nothing is ever born and nothing ever dies except in our own perception of it. Every flower becomes compost so more flowers can bloom. Every person brings her/his energy into the world in order to transform it before moving on. Everything is part of the grand cycle of life.

Here are two ways you can celebrate Continuation Day this week:

Spend time in nature, and no, walking between the house and the car does not count. Walk in a park or traverse the neighborhood where you live. Smell, see, touch and hear all that nature is offering you. Consider the truth of impermanence—everything you encounter will seem to pass away, but just because you cannot see it doesn’t mean it is gone. It will come back in some other form. Continuation is just another way of affirming impermanence.

Practice being in the present moment. Too much of our time and energy is spent pining away for of feeling regretful about the past. Even more is spent working toward and worrying about the future. The only moment we ever truly have is the present moment, the precious gift that sits before us right now. Thich Nhat Hanh teaches many ways to connect with the present moment through mindfulness, such as doing our ordinary activities with awareness and insight. Think of all the things you are engaged in throughout the day. What could unfold if you drank your coffee or tea without distraction truly appreciating what you were drinking or emptying the dishwasher or dryer with deep gratitude for these time-saving devices?

Enjoy your explorations this week and you just might decide to make every day “continuation day.”